SAN FRANCISCO—Tim Lincecum, a two-time Cy Young Award winner and the San Francisco Giants’ ace during their 2010 World Series run, might not throw a pitch as a starter in the 2012 National League Division Series.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced Sunday that Ryan Vogelsong will start Game 3 against the Reds in Cincinnati. Bochy bypassed Lincecum, who could be skipped if the Giants use ace Matt Cain on short rest for Game 4.

Reds vs. Giants: Ryan Vogelsong, who made a late rebound, will start Game 3 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo)

Bochy could have also gone to Barry Zito for Game 3, but Vogelsong’s rebound at the end of September earned him the start.

Vogelsong had been one of the best pitchers in the league through July, with a 2.22 ERA. That dominance suddenly ended; Vogelsong posted a 7.95 ERA in his next nine starts and the Giants considered skipping him in the rotation to get him back on track. That never happened, though, and as speculation about the Giants leaving him off the postseason rotation became loud, Vogelsong went 2-0 with an 0.53 ERA (one earned run in 17 innings) over his final three regular-season starts.

“He had a little hiccup there for three or four starts, but he’s gotten back on track the last few starts,” Bochy said Sunday before Game 2. “It’s the right thing to do. He’s earned this.”

Bochy made the correct call. Zito is unreliable and has a good chance of getting battered in the hitter’s paradise that is Great American Ball Park. He was a candidate because the Giants have won each of his past 11 starts.

As for Lincecum, he was awful during the first half of the season before righting himself somewhat in the second half. In his last two starts, however, he allowed 12 runs (11 earned) in 10 innings, with six walks. He came on as a reliever in the sixth inning Sunday.

Bochy admitted that telling Lincecum he wouldn’t start was difficult. “Sure it is,” Bochy said. “It’s not easy to tell a pitcher who’s accomplished what he has. We know what he’s done for us, but you have to look at what’s happening today, this year. Timmy understands that.

“These things aren’t easy. It reminds me of 2010 when we had to leave (Zito) off the playoff roster.”